ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Election Commission
ECI’s National Elections Quiz 2018 Inter-School Competition witnesses participation by 13.6 lakh students
Delhi Public School, Ranchi team were declared winners of the National Elections Quiz 2018 organised by the Election Commission of India. DPS Ranchi teamcomprising Madhur Jain and Aditya Kumar, were handed over the NEQ 2018 Trophy by the Hon’ble President of India during the National Voters’ Day function held at New Delhi.
Team from DPS Ranchi being handed over the Trophy by the Hon’ble Presdent in presence of Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister of Law & Justice and Shri O P Rawat, Chief Election Commissioner
Clocking participation of 13.63 lakh students from 38,000 schools, the National Elections Quiz 2018, organised by the Election Commission of India andspanning over two and a half months, culminated in a thrilling finale between the six School teams from Delhi, Goa, Jharkhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Manipur and Puducherry.
Securing 105 points, the team from Delhi Public School, Ranchi comprising Madhur Jain and Aditya Kumar, were crowned the Champions in the NEQ 2018. St. Patric Matric Higher Secondary School from Puducherry, comprising V. Vishnu Priya and R. Mithun Krishna sealed the second place while Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Senapati, Manipur comprising Ashmaan Mainali and Shangker Singh Laishram secured the third place. Besides the Trophy, the First Prize carries a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh, first runners up - Rs 80 thousand, and the Second runners up Rs 60 thousand. The remaining three teams in the Grand Finale were rewarded Rs. 50 thousand each. Half the amount of the Prize money goes to the School and the rest to the two students comprising the team.
The National Elections Quiz is organized as part of ECI’s initiative of ‘Empowering Young and Future Electors’ which was also the theme for the 7th National Voters’ Day . Extending from the Intra-School followed by the District and State Level right up to the National Rounds, NEQ involved students from across the country laying claim to being the World’s Largest Inter-School Quiz Contest on Elections.
The 36 teams from all the States and Union Territories comprised of 72 students from Class 9-12th, falling in the category of future voters, which are one of the target audience for ECI’s Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation programme . As a part of their visit to Delhi, the participants were taken on a guided, educational city tour to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Qutub Complex, Elections Museum, Red Fort, Gandhi Smriti, Humayun’s Tomb and the Birla Mandir.
The 6 Zonal-Finals and the Grand Finale were conducted in collaboration with the Rajya Sabha TV. The North-East Zonal, also the first episode, was telecast on RSTV on the 8th National Voters’ Day and the remaining 5 zonals and the Grand Finale is being telecast in the coming six weeks, every Sunday and also available on YouTube. The Grand Finale will be aired on RSTV on 11th March 2018 and also live-streamed on Facebook India page.
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Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Lost Footage of 1948 Film Vande Mataram in NFAI Collection
P.L. Deshpande’s harmonium playing footage also donated to NFAI
A rare footage of an iconic Marathi film Vande Mataram  in which legendary writer and playwright P.L. Deshpande played the lead role along with his wife Sunita Deshpande is now part of NFAI collection. A VHS cassette containing about 35 minute footage of the film is part of the collection that was donated to NFAI by Shri Dinesh Thakur, nephew of Sunita Deshpande and film historian Shri Satish Jakatdar, along with U-Matic tapes containing rare footage of Harmonium playing by P.L. Deshpande.
“We are extremely delighted to receive this footage of a film that was considered to be lost. It is such a happy coincidence to discover this footage at a time when the birth centenary of P.L. Deshpande and Sudhir Phadke is being celebrated this year along with the producer of the film P.R. Bhide”, said Shri Prakash Magdum, Director NFAI, while receiving the footage. The iconic Marathi film was directed by renowned director Ram Gabale.
“We hope to find the remaining footage of the film and I appeal to all film lovers to come forward in donating or submitting the rare film footages and paper material such as posters, song booklets, photographs etc. so that it can be preserved for future generations”, said, Director NFAI.
The film Vande Mataram is considered very important as the story was based on India’s freedom movement and had the script, dialogue and lyrics by renowned writer G.D. Madgulkar whereas the music was composed by stalwart composer Sudhir Phadke. The nationalist project was released only a year after independence and presented narratives woven with patriotism and humanist affection. Songs like Ved Mantrahun Vandya….became very popular and are remembered even today.
The screen test for the lead actors Sunita and P.L. Deshpande was done in Pune while shooting of the film took place in early 1948 at Shalini Studio in Kolhapur. Cameraman of the film Agashe had participated in the freedom struggle. This was the first screen test of P.L. Deshpande as an actor who went on to do several Marathi films as an actor, writer, composer and director.
Two U-matic cassettes of about one-hour duration contain the rare footage of playing of Harmonium by P.L. Deshpande in 1980’s. One footage has Lalji Desai accompanying on Tabla who was part of the crew of Varyavarchi Varat, a very popular comedy play by P.L. Deshpande whereas the other contains Tabla by Jhavba. The footage was believed to be recorded in a private sitting in Mumbai in 1980’s. P.L. Deshpande was a proficient Harmonium player and had accompanied many stalwart Classical singers in several professional and private concerts. The other material donated contains P.L. Deshpande’s recitation of few of his very popular comic characters!
The original hand-written script of another classic film Gulacha Ganpati had also been donated to NFAI three years back. The film, digitized by NFAI, was directed by P.L. Deshpande and he himself played the lead role, apart from writing the script and composing music for it!
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on COVID-19 Vaccine Availability in States/UTs
Nearly 169 Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 12.11 Crore balance and unutilized vaccine doses still available with States/UTs
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The nationwide COVID 19 vaccination started on 16th January 2021. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply  75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
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VACCINE DOSES
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SUPPLIED
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1,68,99,73,425
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BALANCE AVAILABLE
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12,11,77,166
Nearly 169 crore  vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far through Govt. of India  and through direct state procurement category.
More than 12.11 Cr  balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Dr VK Paul, Member NITI Aayog inaugurates Health Pavilion at the 41 st India International Trade Fair
Urges all stakeholders to maximise their outreach of informative activities via various media
Dr V K Paul, Member , NITI Aayog inaugurated the Health Pavilion at the 41st India International Trade Fair , here today. Special Secretary, Shri S Gopalakrishnan was also present on the occasion. The theme of this year’s pavilion of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is “Heal in India, Heal by India”.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Dr Paul stated that health must be given due attention. Lauding the stalls at the pavilion, he highlighted the need to create awareness among people for diseases like Amenia and Diabetes which remain invisible until diagnosed.
Dr Paul urged everyone to take the message of health in a mission-mode. He also appealed to all stakeholders to maximise their outreach of informative activities via various media.
He encouraged all stakeholders to use the Health Pavilion as a micro-system for triggering a Jan Andolan towards better health.
Shri Gopalakrishnan expressed his optimism on key reforms and initiatives being undertaken in the Health sector. He emphasized on the Digital Health initiative and highlighted its universal impact and applicability. He further stated that a lot of health issues can be resolved if people are informed well.
The Health Pavilion showcases various initiatives, schemes and achievements of the Union Health Ministry including the recently launched PM TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, National Universal Immunisation Programme, FSSAI, NACO, AB PMJAY, NVBDCP, NHA. It also has various stalls for informative activities, life-saving skills, checking and screening for diabetes, anaemia, blood pressure, BMI etc.
Ministry of Civil Aviation
Series of reforms undertaken to promote Indian drone industry
Incentive of Rs 120 crore for drone manufacturers/ industry under the PLI scheme
The Production Linked Incentive  scheme for drones and drone components were notified on 30th September 2021 and the Government has invited applications from drone manufacturers for the PLI scheme on 10thMarch 2022. The Government is providing a total incentive of INR 120 crore spread over three financial years to the drone manufacturers/ industry under the PLI scheme. The PLI rate is 20% of the value addition over three financial years. PLI for a manufacturer shall be capped at 25% of total annual outlay.
The value addition shall be calculated as the annual sales revenue from drones and drone components  minus the purchase cost  of drone and drone components. In case a manufacturer fails to meet the threshold for the eligible value addition for a particular financial year, the manufacturer will be allowed to claim the lost incentive in the subsequent year if the manufacturer makes up the shortfall in the subsequent year.As on 22ndMarch 2022, one application has been received from the drone manufacturers under the PLI scheme. The last date for submission of application form is 31stMarch 2022.
The Central Government has undertaken a series of reform measures to promote India's upcoming drone industry which are as follows:
 Liberalised Drone Rules, 2021 notified on 25th August 2021.
 Drone Airspace Map published on 24th September 2021, opening up nearly 90% of Indian airspace as a green zone for drone flying up to 400 feet.
 Production-Linked Incentive  scheme for drones notified on 30th September 2021.
 UAS Traffic Management  Policy Framework published on 24th October 2021.
 Monetary grant program for purchase of agricultural drones was announced by the Union Agriculture Ministry on 22nd January 2022.
 All five application forms under Drone Rules, 2021 made online on the DigitalSky Platform on 26th January 2022
 Drone certification scheme notified on 26th January 2022, making it easier to obtain type certificate by drone manufacturers.
 Drone import policy notified on 9th February 2022, banning import of foreign drones and freeing up import of drone components.
 Drone  Rules, 2022 notified on 11th February 2022, abolishing the requirement of a drone pilot licence.
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation Gen.  V. K.Singh in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Shri Ram Vilas Paswan reviews functioning of National Consumer Helpline, Seeks convergence with various government departments & private sector for timely redressal of consumer grievances
The Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Ram Vilas Paswan today reviewed the functioning of National Consumer Helpline , a flagship project of the Department of Consumer Affairs. Shri Paswan reviewed the working of the National and Zonal Consumer Helplines along with the Secretary, Consumer Affairs,Director IIPAand other senior officials. Shri Paswan also spoke with a consumer from Uttar Pradesh via the helpline and helped redress his complaint.
Shri Ram Vilas Paswan expressed satisfaction that the helpline workforce has been expanded from 16 to 120 and training has been provided to them. He stated that NCH is providing an important service to consumers and it should be publicized and popularized to ensure that the common man knows of his rights and how to get them enforced. Shri Paswan suggested that Department should give adequate publicity to NCH through electronic, print and social media and success stories should be highlighted.
Shri Paswan stated that there should be convergence with various government departments & private sector for timely redressal of consumer complaints. He also suggested streamlining the feedback mechanism to assess the consumer satisfaction level after redressal of complaints which will also help in performance appraisal of the workforce. The Union Minister further suggested that Zonal Helplines should function from consumer friendly locations so as to make it more visible to consumers.
It was also mentioned that the huge data that NCH has should be analysed and utilised advantageously for propagating social messages. Extensive use of social media to popularize government initiatives was also stressed upon by the Minister. A dedicated Twitter handle was also asked to be created where consumers could directly connect with NCH via social media.
Ministry of Mines
National Mineral Exploration Trust - Enhancing Mineral Exploration Activities In The Country.
National Mineral Exploration Trust has been set up by the Central Government in pursuance of powers conferred by Section 9C  of Mines and Minerals  Amendment Act, 2015 vide gazette notification dated 14th August 2015 to enhance mineral exploration activities in the country.
The National Mineral Exploration Trust Rules were notified on 14th August, 2015, which were subsequently amended and National Mineral Exploration Trust  Rules, 2018 were notified on 7th March, 2018.
Now, as per the recent amendment in the Mines and Minerals  Amendment Act,2021, vide Notification no-18 dated 28th March, 2021, NMET has to be established as a “non-profit Autonomous Body”.
The objective of the trust is to use the accrued funds for taking up regional and detailed exploration, for coal and non-coal minerals, by giving priority to strategic and critical minerals, funding special studies & projects designed to identify, explore, extract, beneficiate and refine deep seated or concealed mineral deposit, facilitate geophysical, ground and aerial survey and geochemical survey of Obvious Geological Potential areas and rest of India, organizing capacity building programmes to raise technical capability of personnel engaged in or to be engaged in exploration and using Trust Fund for purposes necessary or expedient in the interest of conservation, development and exploitation of mineral resources of India.
Till date, DMFs have been set up in 600 districts of 22 States.
The MMDR Act, 1957 was amended through the MMDR Amendment Act, 2015, notified on 27th March, 2015 and which came into effect from 12th January, 2015. To implement the provisions of said Act, the following rules have been made under the MMDR Amendment Act, 2015:
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- The Minerals  Rules, 2015.
- The Mineral  Rules, 2015.
- The Mineral  Rules, 2015.
- The National Mineral Exploration Trust Rules, 2015.
- The Mines and Minerals  Rules, 2015.
- The Mineral  Rules, 2015.
- The Minerals  Concession Rules, 2016.
- Minerals  Rules, 2016.
- The Atomic Mineral Concession Rules, 2016.
Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2017.
This information was given by Minister of Mines, Coal and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Action Plan for Water Conservation
Water being a State subject, steps for augmentation, conservation and efficient management of waterresources are primarily undertaken by the respective State Governments with thetechnical and financialassistance to them through various schemes and programmes of Central Government. National Water Policyinter-alia envisages conservation, protection and availability of water. Model Building Bye-Laws, 2016 andCentral Ground Water Authority’s directions under Section 5 of “The Environment Protection Act, 1986envisage mandatory rain water harvesting.
Ministry of Jal Shakti has taken various steps for water conservation and harvesting of water withcommunity participation through different schemes viz. Atal Bhujal Yojana, Jal Shakti Abhiyan, National Aquifer Mapping and Management  Programme, National Perspective Plan,Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana , Command Area Development & Water Management Programme, monitoring of life storage of reservoirs, performance evaluation and water useefficiency studies of major and medium irrigation projects.
'Catch the Rain' & 'SahiFasal' campaigns, trainings, workshops, awards, seminars, water talks,exhibitions, fairs, competitions, webinars etc. for water conservation, water harvesting, water use efficiencyand ground water management are also held with active participation of government departments, agencies,panchayats, non-government organisations etc. Department of Rural Development is taking up waterconservation works under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme .
At present, while there is no proposal for construction of dam in Pachnada Project, Government ofUttar Pradesh has informed that Detailed Project Report of a Barrage Project at Pachnadahas been completed.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti & Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Rattan Lal Kataria in Lok Sabha.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Flood Forecasting
Central Water Commission  issues flood forecasts based on deterministic model  as a non-structural measure of flood management to concerned State Governments depending on the requisition from them at identified locations. At present, there are 1741 hydro-meteorological sites being operated by CWC across the country covering 20 river basins for gauge, discharge and sediment observations. Many of these stations are used as flood monitoring stations for formulating flood forecasts. CWC also issues inflow forecasts to identified reservoirs for proper reservoir regulation. Flood forecast formulation methodology used by CWC includes deterministic conventional statistical methodology using statistical regression equations between the levels of upstream and downstream stations as well as with flows between upstream and downstream reservoir stations. Unit hydrographs of intervening catchment area is also used for getting rainfall contribution generated between these stations. This method provides advance warning time from 6 to 24 hrs depending upon the terrain. Presently, CWC flood forecasting network has been expanded to 328 Flood Forecast Stations  covering 23 States & 2 UTs including NCT of Delhi and 20 river basins for taking proper mitigation measures by respective State Governments. Annually, about 8000 flood forecasts are issued by CWC during floods.
The ensemble forecast which includes the associated probabilities with the flood warnings is not being used at present.
The hydro-meteorological data collection and transmission of CWC is being modernised through the use of satellite based automatic data acquisition system. Flood forecasting by CWC uses all the latest technology including remote-sensing, Geographical Information System , internet, artificial intelligence and machine learning in development / running / formulation and calibration of mathematical models and for providing inundation alerts which are closely at par with international standards. CWC is formulating three day advisories of flood using satellite based real time rainfall estimates and three day rainfall forecast through Numerical Weather Prediction models being shared by Indian Meteorological Department  on a seamless fashion. Mathematical model has been used for formulation of advisories and these advisories are shared with stakeholders using a dedicated website. The three day advisories are likely to be extended to five day advisories for all basins from the year 2021. Besides this, CWC is also providing inundation forecast in the same platform using two-dimensional models for main Brahmaputra and is also shared with beneficiaries through the same website. In addition, CWC has signed an MoU with M/s Google Inc. for using their vast repository of high resolution Digital Elevation Models  and the power of dissemination to send alerts regarding inundation through Google platform using the flood forecasts issued by CWC.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti & Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Rattan Lal Kataria in Lok Sabha today.
Special Service and Features
Bakrid holiday for Central Govt. Offices rescheduled to June 29
The central government offices in the state will be closed on June 29th on the occasion of Bakrid. This was announced by Central Government Employees Welfare Coordinating Committee. This is on the basis that the state government declared both June 28 and June 29 as holidays. It was also informed that June 28 will be a restricted holiday.
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Ministry of Finance
Changes in the Drawback Rates of Certain Export Goods.
The Government of India vide its Notification no. 89/2017-Customs dated 21.9.2017 had notified the All Industry Rates  of Duty Drawback effective from 1.10.2017. As a step towards more efficient Input Tax Neutralization on the exports, after considering various representations from the trade and industry, the Government of India has enhanced the All Industry Rates of duty drawback for 102 tariff items.
The Export Items mainly include Marine and Seafood Products, Automobile Tyres and Bicycle Tyres/Tubes, Leather and Articles of Leather, Yarn and Fabric of Wool, Glass Handicrafts and Bicycles, Etc.
The Revised Rates of Duty Drawback will help address the concerns of these export sectors and make India’s exports more competitive in global economy. For further details, Notification No. 8/2018-Cus  dated 22.01.2018 may be downloaded from the website cbec.gov.in. The Enhanced Rates of Duty Drawback will be effective from 25.1.2018.